OTR Hoops: 16U Standouts from The Opening (Tec) – March 18, 2025

MARIETTA, Ga.— The 16U division was well-represented at The Opening. It was a great opportunity to develop initial impressions of some of Georgia’s prospects of the future as they step into more spotlighted roles. Here are some of the standout players I saw over the weekend.

By: Josh Tec

Aj Cox, Only1Elite: Another name to keep in mind for the future, AJ Cox is a big man who’s still figuring it out but has a chance to improve over the next couple of years. 6-foot-8 size isn’t necessarily abundant, and Cox pairs that with competitiveness and fire. At this level, he cleans the glass and finishes plays around the basket. As he continues to develop, refine his game, Cox has a chance to be a name that keeps circulating.

Dominic Jimenez, EYA: Jimenez isn’t a flashy player, but he’s one that’ll make winning plays. He’s gritty, tough. His athleticism and hard-hat mentality allow him positional versatility. He can play bigger than he is inside the arc, and he can be a perimeter player on both ends. His rebounding and defense are what stood out above all else to open the season. It doesn’t look fun to play against Jimenez.

Jakye Benjamin, EYA: Benjamin stood out as a scoring threat for the EYA 16U squad. He can space the floor with his 3-point shooting threat. Benjamin reliably knocked down shots from distance throughout the weekend, but he wasn’t limited to the perimeter. He used a jolt of speed to create plays for himself and everyone around him as a ball handler as well.

Noah Jones, Team Smash Pro: A guard to keep an eye on in the future, Noah Jones flashed bright spots for Team Smash. He was one of their primary scoring options and ball handlers. Jones showed dynamism as a playmaker throughout the weekend. As the season settles, he’ll be a guy to keep an eye on.

Tyce Curtis, Sewer South: Sewer South 16U was dominant this weekend. Guard Tyce Curtis was one of the factors behind their success. He sought the rim when he had the ball, and he was tough to stay in front of. A blend of speed and toughness lent to his success as a scorer at the basket. Curtis scrambled defenses with his ability to get into the paint.

Josh Tec has been covering prep basketball in Georgia and nationally since 2020. He has served myriad roles as a writer and evaluator, including editor-in-chief. Tec has a degree in journalism from Georgia State. Follow his work on X (Twitter) @_joshtec.